Redesign ConquerClub.com

[mibi]

The current design of ConquerClub.com is a travesty. No site this large should look this ugly. The current design is stale, incredibly dated, and wholly amateur. The front page is a joke and a wasted opportunity.

Lack should hire a designer to give ConquerClub a fresh image, then hire a coder to code it up, as it would probably take Lack 3 years to complete something like that.

Profit, presence and perception are all tarnished by garish and 1999 design that is going on around here. If Lack were as serious about ConquerClub.com as are its legions of volunteers, this would be a priority. There is so much potential being wasted on a "who care's" design.

ConquerClub.com is not a mature website in the world of the internet. It is about time for a 2.0.

[GenuineEarlGrey]

No site this large should look this ugly. The current design is stale...

Sorry, I thought you said stable.

I'm I great believer in not updating for updating sakes. While there may be merit in your suggestion I ask only not to take your eye of the bigger picture: the site loads quickly and efficiently. Whatever "tweaks" you wish to add lets remember that one software company asked "Where do you want to go today?"...

...and another "Where do you want to go NOW!"

[AndyDufresne]

Some redesigns have been discussed---I expect more to come of this in the next few months.


--Andy

[ManBungalow]

Some redesigns have been discussed---I expect more to come of this in the next few months.


--Andy

I'm all for an update as long as you take it slowly;
IE. don't completely change the theme to some spaced out thingy right now.

[porkenbeans]

The current design of ConquerClub.com is a travesty. No site this large should look this ugly. The current design is stale, incredibly dated, and wholly amateur. The front page is a joke and a wasted opportunity.

Lack should hire a designer to give ConquerClub a fresh image, then hire a coder to code it up, as it would probably take Lack 3 years to complete something like that.

Profit, presence and perception are all tarnished by garish and 1999 design that is going on around here. If Lack were as serious about ConquerClub.com as are its legions of volunteers, this would be a priority. There is so much potential being wasted on a "who care's" design.

ConquerClub.com is not a mature website in the world of the internet. It is about time for a 2.0.

I will add my vote with mibis'.

[hecter]

I really like the current design. It's clean, consistent and to the point.

[Timminz]

I really like the current design. It's clean, consistent and to the point.

Agreed. Bells nor whistles do we need. If given the choice, I would put a whole heap of "substance" suggestions, above any of the "style" ones.

[AndyDufresne]

A re-design would mostly have the same feel---it'd be more of a functionality redesigning---better streamlining essentially.


--Andy

[mibi]

I really like the current design. It's clean, consistent and to the point.

Agreed. Bells nor whistles do we need. If given the choice, I would put a whole heap of "substance" suggestions, above any of the "style" ones.

Style? I am talking about accessibility and communication. Standard landing page 101 stuff.

Ofcourse the 'style' aspect is a joke.

No one who is a member of this site cares about style. But those who are not members, the potential members, lacks customers, and the growth of this site care very much about style. In any relationship, it is much harder to commit when you put your ugly face forward first, and then try to win them with personality.

[ManBungalow]

I am talking about accessibility and communication. Standard landing page 101 stuff.

Ofcourse the 'style' aspect is a joke.

No one who is a member of this site cares about style. But those who are not members, the potential members, lacks customers, and the growth of this site care very much about style. In any relationship, it is much harder to commit when you put your ugly face forward first, and then try to win them with personality.

Agreed.

What kind of theme would you implement which would actually get across to the potential New Recruit what this site is about ?

[porkenbeans]

Why cant they just keep what they have now, and add a landing page that is more up to date with the times. I envision a page that is interactive, and very user friendly.
We could have among other things, a big globe that is slowly turning. When you hoover on it, it stops turning and you can click on any of the dots (that represent all the different CC maps). That will take you to all the games awaiting players for that map. This will allow just about every visitor to quickly and easily get in to their first game. Believe it or not, many never get that far before clicking off the site, and continuing on to find another game to play online.

[john9blue]

While we are talking about ways to keep new players, here is the best one. Send them a "welcome to CC" PM detailing how to join & start games, showing them the different parts of the site, and explaining the different game settings (in a more succinct way than the instructions).

[porkenbeans]

While we are talking about ways to keep new players, here is the best one. Send them a "welcome to CC" PM detailing how to join & start games, showing them the different parts of the site, and explaining the different game settings (in a more succinct way than the instructions).

Yes, I have learned that many have a hard time trying to get in a game. It is not clear enough for web surfers. They do not have the patients to read a lot. Get them in a game quick and you stand a better chance of obtaining a new member. If it requires that they be taken by the hand, ...so be it.
Along with sending a welcome pm to both their home and CC box, All new sign-ups should automatically receive the CC Newsletter. I would go as far to say that, ALL CC members should be auto-signed to receive it. ...It is very simple to un-subscribe if one wishes.

[Rocketry]

Ive previously suggested the front pages gets fixed. It looks awful. The flashing map thing is crap.

Rocket

[porkenbeans]

K.I.S.S.
Keep it simple stupid.
If you combine this directive with a super cool looking landing page, You have the recipe for the best game site of it's kind.

[ubersky]

I can state from experience that Web Design is not easy, especially if you do web page creation from the inside out (functionality first, interface second).

There are lots of books on Software Engineering that discuss which way any application should be built, be it Interface breeding function (prototyping) or function breeding interface.

The one key constant is that user requirements always drive good system design. Now, the user may not be able to describe the requirements (which is why there is an interview process), but requirements must direct design.

Facebook is a very good example of a ridiculously large web application, with much more complex data integration and user interaction that is effectively very spartan in design. This makes is fast, less confusing, and easy to use by anyone (yes, even soccer moms).

I'd recommend in some way to try to describe what you are looking for out of the site in the way of design. Simply stating that it's "stale" or "need to get to 2.0" doesn't really describe what it is that you feel is lacking (no pun intended).

To be honest, I prefer a clean utility site over over designed and confusing, especially if you are coming here alot.

I'm not knocking your topic, but suggesting ways to make it more effective.

[mibi]

I can state from experience that Web Design is not easy, especially if you do web page creation from the inside out (functionality first, interface second).

There are lots of books on Software Engineering that discuss which way any application should be built, be it Interface breeding function (prototyping) or function breeding interface.

The one key constant is that user requirements always drive good system design. Now, the user may not be able to describe the requirements (which is why there is an interview process), but requirements must direct design.

Facebook is a very good example of a ridiculously large web application, with much more complex data integration and user interaction that is effectively very spartan in design. This makes is fast, less confusing, and easy to use by anyone (yes, even soccer moms).

I'd recommend in some way to try to describe what you are looking for out of the site in the way of design. Simply stating that it's "stale" or "need to get to 2.0" doesn't really describe what it is that you feel is lacking (no pun intended).

To be honest, I prefer a clean utility site over over designed and confusing, especially if you are coming here alot.

I'm not knocking your topic, but suggesting ways to make it more effective.

This would be a long list and would require more time than I currently have.

and I can't believe i have to look at such an ugly use of a banner as that thing thats in the top right.

[AndyDufresne]

The banner was a signature made by Oaktown, shrunk down. If you'd like to complain, you take it elsewhere Mibi. If you'd like to help you can stay.


--Andy

[sailorseal]

The banner was a signature made by Oaktown, shrunk down. If you'd like to complain, you take it elsewhere Mibi. If you'd like to help you can stay.


--Andy

I want to help
oh Oh Oh PICK ME!

[RjBeals]

and I can't believe i have to look at such an ugly use of a banner as that thing thats in the top right.

Mibi you've probably the best eye for design here, as that's how you make your living (not so bad either, as you've been featured on some television programs). I support you in that the site does need a face-lift, but I just don't have that warm & fuzzy that Lack is up for hiring a designer. The one good thing this site has going for it is it's fast, well at least loading the interface I mean. The best bet is if someone will do it as a project for free, then get recognition of his/her accomplishments pro-bono.

But that banner is right out of geocities

[ubersky]

If someone was really up for it, you could just create your own CSS overlay for the site and go from there.

Maybe Lack could open up a Design Shop similar to the Map Foundry section (or maybe an offshoot of the add-ons and plugins) that would let the web design nuts go nuts designing interface suggestions that might get used.

[wcaclimbing]

I expect more to come of this in the next few months.
--Andy

Which means nothing will actually be changed for at least a year...

If someone was really up for it, you could just create your own CSS overlay for the site and go from there.

Maybe Lack could open up a Design Shop similar to the Map Foundry section (or maybe an offshoot of the add-ons and plugins) that would let the web design nuts go nuts designing interface suggestions that might get used.

That would be fun.

[mibi]

and I can't believe i have to look at such an ugly use of a banner as that thing thats in the top right.

Mibi you've probably the best eye for design here, as that's how you make your living (not so bad either, as you've been featured on some television programs). I support you in that the site does need a face-lift, but I just don't have that warm & fuzzy that Lack is up for hiring a designer. The one good thing this site has going for it is it's fast, well at least loading the interface I mean. The best bet is if someone will do it as a project for free, then get recognition of his/her accomplishments pro-bono.

But that banner is right out of geocities

Yeah I don't think Lack will hire a designer either. Which is a shame because he could get the whole thing redesigned and coded for under a grand. The site is fast I suppose, but there isn't much weigh down the server on the interface side anyways. The only reason why I complain is because it's just irritating. The mismanagement and all. ConquerClub could be huge, absolutely massive. But it seems the powers that be have no interest in market share and seem content to evolve one tiny update at a time, just waiting for someone to come along with a better product and more initiative.

ConquerClubs reach has been declining for the better part of a year. No one seems to care. Just hunker down, keep buying those tame google adwords, and throw up a holiday themed product every once in a while like the dollar store.

Here what will probably happen, in about 6 months, Lack will set up some forum committee thing to choose a the members of a committee who will choose the moderators whos task is to plan the design schedule, making sure there is a 4 week break to launch the new Easter Sunday map, and then the moderator will hire someones brothers friend who made a website for the local organic grocery store, and they will come up with something that uses trendy design from three years ago, and everyone will complain until the current design is reverted and then starts the process again of choosing another committee.

Keep me posted.

[porkenbeans]

Once again I have to agree with mibi. You are spot on brother.

I must point out that today's successful web sites are very user friendly. That is to say, easy enough for a 5 year old to navigate. Point, hover, and click. In other words, less reading and more mouse.

When a new prospect comes to the landing page, they should be taken by the hand, and led to their first game. They should NOT have to search around. The attention span of the average surfer is very short, They will quickly give up and move on to the next site, to find a game to play. Just take a look at many how sign-ups have never played a game. Or never completed one.

Online gaming is the fastest growing segment of web sites. This fact is evident to CCs' growth. But, I am with mibi, in that CC should be at least 10 times its size, in the way of members. It is such a shame that this garage start-up, can't see the true potential of this site.

You guys did a great job when you created CC.
But as good as you are at the programing end, you are, (face it), NOT marketing, or design geniuses.
The product that you created, needs these professionals, if CC is to see its true potential. Plain and simple.

There are ways to obtain this without having to hire and pay upfront. There are people in this end of the industry that are looking for just this sort of opportunity. Some, I am sure would eagerly accept partial ownership in Lew of all that money that you would have to pay them. It may cost you 10 % or more, But the revenue could easily be increased to 10 times ts current standing. ...You do the math.

[mibi]

just to follow up to porkenbeans. There would be no need to give up 10 points on a redesign. 10% of 100K is 10k which is what some of biggests design firms would charge. As I said before, it can be done for under 1k, or perhaps 25% of of the revenue growth for a 4 month period. or a company may do it for free in exchange for a case study.

either way, its possible.